Weight loss and Dress shopping

I lost 61 lbs total before my wedding. When I went dress shopping, I was down 30 of that. I bought the dress in the size that fit me then, just in case. I did have to have major alterations at the end (almost $600!) but it was worth it to not have the stress of potentially buying something smaller than what I would have been able to fit into. If I were you, I'd buy for the size you are when you find your dress.

ETA - And kudos to you on making such great progress on your weight loss goal! I'm adding 2 pics as well so you can see my "transformation."

Thanks!

As an aside: my syntax is weird in the original post because I was so close to fitting everything in one post.

I bought my dress 2 sizes smaller

Almost all bridal shops will encourage you to order for the size you are now since there are often no refunds or exchanges - lots of folks plan to lose and then don't and it is a disaster. You will also need to talk to the shop about the specific dress you love - some can only be taken in or let out by very little so the size order needs to be pretty precise. Finally, I would question the shop about how long it takes for a dress to come in. If you find one you love that is in no danger of being discontinued and it only take a few months to come in you could hold off on ordering until much later in the game.

I bought my dress just a little snug even though I have every intention of dropping 20lbs between now and the wedding. Worst case, I lose nothing and it still fits (though not as comfortably). Best case, I will have it taken in. In my case, those 20lbs represent about two dress sizes (street size 8 to a size 4) so not dramatic.

It's a lot to consider, but since you have quite a bit of time I would just have these discussions with the bridal shop before you are compelled to chose one way or the other.

I would not bank on dropping the remaining weight in a year because there are too many variables that can make that not happen.

Awesome transformation @BeachBride2016! I guess I'll make sure the kind of dress I get can be altered that much. Managing stress is a huge part of my weight loss that it would probably be counterproductive. Ahhh I don't know!

I bought a dress a size smaller. I barely fit into it when it came in. But I lost 20 lbs and I have about 15 more to go so I think it will be perfect

Talk to the store. When I bought my dress, the manager told me that if I lost weight and needed to change sizes when I picked it up, she'd be happy to exchange it for me.

Amazing transformation @Kate! The pictures look great!

I was in between sizes and ordered down. I'm regretting it as now I feel so pressured. Order the size you are now!

I lost about 115 lbs over a 2-year period with just diet and exercise, and I lost 90 of those lbs in the first 15 months. It took 9 months to lose the last 25. What became clear to me is that the closer you get to your goal weight, the more aggressive you're going to have to be. As I got closer to my lowest weight, I was struggling to lose half a pound per week, so just be mentally prepared for that in terms of calculating how much you can realistically lose in 12 months as you get leaner. Because of that, I would order your current size and alter down as necessary so that you don't put undue pressure on yourself.

I love to see the transformations here. I have only lost 17 myself (30 since 2015, but i fell off the wagon). I have about 30 or so more to go.

As for the size, I would definitely buy the dress for your current size.

Thanks for sharing Casey! I've already noticed the slow down in weight loss. Congratulations on your weight loss! Really impressive!

Awesome Beachy!! 17 is a lot!

@Kate - Looking great!! You've got the same determination I had to go all the way!

@Casey - Holy cow! Girl, you are smokin'!!! That's so awesome!! Do you have a picture of you in your wedding dress? Would love to see if you are sharing!

I would recommend buying the size you are measured at and altering it later. It will give you a piece of mind in the long run. I was a bridesmaid in a wedding and I bought a dress two sizes down from where I was measured and I was so stressed about losing the weight that it became very difficult to lose it. In the end I just barely fit into the dress and wish I had ordered the size measured.

I bought my dress a size too small and when it arrived, id lost about 9lbs and it fit. And needed to be taken in a bit at the top. I've since lost another 10lbs and plan to lose another 20lbs by alterations the first week in september. I asked when I purchased the dress how many sizes it could be taken in and I was told 2 maybe 3. I literally worked on maintaining my weight. Not losing after it arrived but still lost weight because I was more conscious of what I ate. But even if I dont lose 20 that I want I know my dress fits.

When I bought my dress, I was down 65 lbs and I hope to lose at least another 30 lbs before my wedding day. I bought the dress in the size I was on the day I bought it, as my weight loss has slowed as I've gotten closer to a goal weight so I took the bridal shop's recommendation of keeping it at the size I am now.

I bought a bridesmaid dress 1 size smaller for a recent wedding I was in, and literally almost had a meltdown because it wouldn't zip in January. I got it to zip, but it was super tight (even after taking it out). I don't want to go through that stress again with my wedding dress, so I'll just suck it up and pay the extra alterations if I have to. Not worth the added stress IMO. Good luck!

Congratulations on your weight loss so far, OP! You got this! I, too have actively been working on losing weight (for 2 years now on and off, a lot of "off" during the first year) and have lost 51 lbs. I ordered my dress for the size I was the day I tried it on (street size 14, bridal 18). The gal at the shop asked if I wanted to order a size down after I mentioned I'd been/plan on continuing to lose weight. I decided that would put waaay too much pressure on me and would be horrible if I didn't lose any weight, or worse, gained weight. I went to pick up my dress this past Saturday and it fit, with room to spare! Though I am not sure going down one whole size would have worked. I will need it taken in a bit everywhere and hopefully will continue losing until my 1st fitting at the end of July. FYI I am down 16.5 lbs since the day I tried on my dress to last Saturday. My advice? Buy for the size you are the day you find it, make sure it can be altered to a smaller size, and know that you'll look stunning no matter how close or far away from your goal weight you are. Congrats and good luck!

ETA: Dropping a pic because I'm proud! And vain. Nov 2015-->Feb 2017 (haven't done an updated side-by-side).

So, first thing I have to say is congratulations! Weight loss is super tough, and it's awesome that you've gotten a great start! That being said, there are so many factors that go into weight loss, that you can't guarantee what size you will be. But the size you are now, and take the dress in. Most dresses can be taken in up to 3 sizes without altering the integrity of the dress. It's very difficult (and more expensive) to have a dress let out. I'm still about 30 pounds from goal, and I bought the size that fit me in the store. If I need to take it in (which I will, the back is a tad big) then it's no big deal!